Method for the production of spirally wound containers



June 30, 1964 F G. GLASBY METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SPIRALLY WOUND CONTAINERS- Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 50, 1961 f V; M m mp w v I016. IM 0 m m n m m s F m w F. G. GLASBY METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SPIRALLY June 30, 1964 WOUND CONTAINERS 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 30, 1961 1 //7l/6/7/0/' Franc/s 6 G/asby By his affameys June 30, 1964 F. G. GLASBY 3,139,011

METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SPIRALLY WOUND CONTAINERS Filed Oct. 30, 1961 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 1I I tLFIII 5 I: j Q Q 0;

Q I /nv/7f0r Franc/5 G G/asby By his afforneys June 30, 1964 F. G. GLASBY 3,139,011

METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SPIRALLY wounn CONTAINERS Filed Oct. 30. 1961 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 I u- 2s 25 25 27 3 7 7 3/ F/Ci/fi //7 van for Franc/'5 G. G/asby By his af/omeys F. G. GLASBY METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SPIRALLY June 30, 1964 WOUND CONTAINERS 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 30, 1961 //7 van/0r Franc/'5 G. G/asby By his af/omeys June 30, 1964 F. G. GLASBY 3,139,011

METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SPIRALLY WOUND CONTAINERS Filed Oct. 30, 1961 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Wye/War Hana/5 G. G/asby By his af/omeys F. G. GLASBY METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SPIRALLY WOUND CONTAINERS June 30, 1964 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed Oct. 50, 1961 III! Q Q Q /n van/0r Franc/s G G/asby By his affomeys 3,139,011 Patented June 30, 1964 3,139,011 METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION F SPIRALlLY WOUND CONTAINERS Francis G. Glasby, (Ihesterfield, England, assignor to Robinson 8: Sons Ltd, Chesterfield, England, a British company Filed Oct. 30, 1961, Ser. No. 148,428 7 Claims. (Cl. 93-80) This invention relates to a method for the production of spirally wound containers with unitary patterns spirally Wound thereon and more particularly method and apparatus for keeping the patterns in register with the ends of the containers. Misregistration of the patterns with the ends of the containers has been a problem in the past due to errors in the winding of the patterns and in the cutting of the containers, etc. It is one object of the invention to overcome these difficulties.

Another object of the invention is to achieve the proper pattern registration without providing surplus trim space in the patterns strip or web.

The invention is applicable whether the containers are made by cutting off tubes containing one or more patterned container lengths by means of a single cut on the winding machine and recutting into constituent containers at a separate subsequent operation, or by cutting the tube directly into individual containers on the winder in what is called a gang cutting operation. The web may be a single layer of material or a laminated material composed even of assorted layers of foil and paper or the like.

It is characteristic of the invention that a pattern hearing web, which is extensible in nature, is used to maintain proper registration of the unitary patterns on the web with the ends of each container. By varying the tension in the web before winding the web onto the tube, thereby achieving proper stretch (of the permanent type or elastic type or both) I compensate for any misregister present.

For the purpose of carrying out this invention, single cut winding machines will be shown and described. Such machines are so constructed as to cut off a tube or stick of predetermined length. It will be understood that gang cutting winders can be used equally well. The stretchable nature of the pattern bearing web is taken advantage of to keep the patterns in registration with the ends of the containers. This is done by stretching or contracting the pattern bearing web being delivered to the tube whenever the cutting position of the containers or sticks is away from its proper location as far as concerns pattern registry.

Strip or web materials are known in which considerable permanent extension or stretch can be induced. Many of these materials also contain elastic stretch properties. I have found several ways in which these properties can be used to correct poor pattern registration and without the use of surplus space material.

In the first method and machine to be described, a nonelastic web, capable of being given permanent stretch, is used to give what is here referred to as two-way stretch, for register correction or compensation. By two-way stretch I mean that when the pattern web is out of register the stretch is increased or reduced, according to whichever direction of change is required to effect proper pattern registration.

In the second method and machine to be described, a non-elastic web, capable of being given permanent stretch, is used to give what is here referred to as one-way stretch, for register correction or compensation. By one-way stretch is meant that when the pattern web is out of register the stretch is changed in only one direction to effect proper pattern registration. The machine may be constructed so that although using the one-way stretch method, proper registration compensation is effected in both directions. v I

In the third method and machine to be described, ex tensible web material which also has an elastic quality is used. That quality by itself gives one-Way register correction. The second and third methods and machines can be combined to give stretch by using both permanent stretch and elastic stretch qualities.

In the drawings FIGURE 1 is a view in elevation of a single saw cut off winding machine embodying the present invention comprising two-Way stretch without elasticity at the moment just before the cutting cycle is about to commence.

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the means. used in FIG- URE 1 for varying the stretch of the pattern web to correct for registry error and shows a suitable positional relationship of such means relative to a tube winding head.

FIGURE 3 is a diagrammatic representation in elevation of the variable stretch means according to FIGURES 1 and 2.

FIGURE 4 shows a suitable form of electrical circuitry for the purpose of this invention according to the method and machine of FIGURES l, 2 and 3.

FIGURE 5 is a view in vertical section through the machine near the saw along line 5-5 of FIGURE 1 looking in the direction of the arrows. This view is applicable to all constructions shown in the drawings.

FIGURE 6 is a view in elevation on a larger scale of the saw and its associated driving means of FIGURES 1 to 5.

FIGURE 7 is a detailed view in vertical section of the sleeve on the saw shaft taken along line 77 of FIG- URE 6.

FIGURE 8 shows a self-holding circuit for cutting oil the tube in FIGURES l to 6.

FIGURE 9 is a view in vertical section taken through the machine at the right of the saw drive as viewed in FIGURE 1 on the line 99 of that figure looking in the direction of the arrows and is applicable to all embodiments shown.

FIGURE 10 is a view in vertical section taken through the machine of FIGURE 1 at the target along line 10-10 of that figure looking in the direction of the arrows. Certain switch gear has been removed. This drawing is applicable to all embodiments shown.

FIGURE 11 shows a view in vertical section of a differential for loop control where the web is elastic.

FIGURE 12 shows drive gearing for the delivery rolls of FIGURE 3 and spring means for producing pressure engagement therebetween.

FIGURE 13 shows a modification of the target switch system of FIGURE 1 to enable one-way correction of register to be applied according to the second or third embodiments.

FIGURE 14 shows a modification of the electric circuitry of FIGURE 4, being a register control circuit suitable for one-way correction according to the second embodiment.

FIGURE 15 shows a means of varying the winding tension of the patterned web so as to produce variation of tension in the web according to the third embodiment giving register compensation.

FIGURE 16 shows a modification of FIGURE 4, being a register control circuit suitable for one-way correction according to the third embodiment by itself where the web is elastic.

FIGURE 17 is a simplified diagram of the two controlling sections for delivering the web to the tube in the first and second embodiments.

Apparatus with a cut ofi" typical of machines used for cutting 01f substantially consistent lengths of tube in repetition from a continuously moving tube winding or producing unit will first be described. Then how this mechanism can be used in conjunction with control apparatus and further mechanism for maintaining cutting register at desired cutting locations along the being-formed tube 18 in accordance with the invention will be described, these cutting locations bearing a regular relationship to the patterns.

Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2, a tube is wound on the mandrel 1. The tube may comprise one or more base layers which may be wound on the mandrel by conventional means. Thus, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, strips 2 and 3 are unwound from supply sources (not shown), wrapped on the mandrel and the tube thus formed advances on the mandrel by means of a belt 4 which is, in turn, driven by pulleys 5 and 6 which receive their rotation from any convenient source, such as an electric motor with intermediate gearing.

On top, i.e. outside of the base layers 2 and 3 is wound a pattern bearing outer strip or web 7. This will preferably contain the unitary patterns and at regular intervals control marks 8 (see FIGURES l and 4). These marks, when wound on to the tube 18, will preferably though not necessarily form a complete circle around the periphery of the tube 18 as shown. They may be of any suitable nature, a special ink, a fluorescent patch, a magnetic marking or even a physical irregularity such as a hole or slight bump, depending on the observing means it is desired to employ. Preferably, however, the mark a is such that it can be distinguished from other areas of the strip by a photo electric cell. As shown in FIGURE 1 the Web 7 is fed toward the tube 1. A photo electric cell 9-and an associated light source 10 are located adjacent the tube 18 and when a control mark 8 passes near them a signal is sent from cell 9 to an amplifier 11 causing the normally open switch 12 to close (see FIGURE 4). The purpose of this switch is described below.

Located adjacent to the mandrel 1 and the tube 18 being formed thereon is rotary saw 13. This saw is driven by a motor 14 by means of pulleys 15 and 16 and endless belt 17. (Electrical power connections for the motor are not shown for the purposes of simplicity.) As shown in FIGURE 1, the saw 13 is drawn along by the pressure of the end of the being-formed tube 18 on target 19, the target being mounted in well known manner on a parallelogrammic linkage 20. When the tube end makes contact with the target 19, the target is pushed along by the tube causing an extra and adjacent link 21 which has ball joints 22 at each end to draw a sleeve 23 axially along a mounting rod 24. The sleeve 23 has a forked bracket 25 mounted thereon, the fork end engaging a spool 26 mounted on a saw shaft 27 (see FIGURES 1 and 6). Thus movement of the target 19 by the tube end will draw the saw shaft and its associated saw 13 along at substantially the same speed as the movement of the tube, the slight angularity assumed by the link 21 having little practical effect on the relative velocities. Referring to FIGURES 1 and 6, it will be seen that pulley 16 is mounted on a slotted sleeve 28. This sleeve is retained .axially between bearing brackets 29 and 30, these brackets being in turn rigidly mounted on a mounting rod 24. The

saw shaft 27 is fitted with a driving peg 31 (see FIG- URE 7) so that any rotation of the sleeve 28 is imparted to the saw shaft 27, while the saw shaft is able to retract endwise within the confines of a slot 32 in the sleeve 28 under influence of the target 19.

' While the saw 13 is being drawn along by the target 19 engaging on the forward end ofthe tube 18, the saw 13 is swung into cutting engagement with the tube 18 for a suflicient time to ensure the complete severance of tube lengths or portions and then the saw 13 is retracted to a non-cutting position by means which will now be described. In the meantime the cut tube may be removed or will fall away and the saw 13 will cease to be drawn 4 along by the target 19 and tube 18. Since the target 19 and the saw 13 and their intermediate connections are now free from the influence of the tube, they will be returned by a tension spring 33 to the rearward position shown in the relative drawing.

The means for bringing the saw into cutting engagement are constructed as follows. The mounting rod 24 is able to pivot in bearings 34 and 35, these bearings being mounted on the machine frame. There is a lever 36 mounted rigidly on the mounting rod 24, and the outer end of this lever is connected to a solenoid 37 by an intermediate link 38 (see FIGURES 1 and 9). A tension spring 39 is attached to the lever 36 in such a manner as to bias the saw 13 out of cutting engagement with the tube 18. Energizing of the solenoid 37 at appropriate times will overcome the bias of tension spring 39 and bring the saw 13 into cutting engagement. For this purpose switch gear is provided, operating in controlled relationship with the axial movement of the saw (see FIG- URE 1). Connected to a link 40 of the parallelogrammic system 20, parallel to the tube 18, is a plate 41 carrying a trip lever 42 pivotally mounted at one end on a pin 43. The trip lever 42 is biased by a tension spring 44 against a stop 45 and is so constructed that during forward motion in the direction of arrow 46 the trip lever is capable of operating switch gear 47 and 48 to change their state momentarily, but when returning in the reverse direction the trip lever 42 is deflected in angular fashion by the striking mechanism of these two switches, and does not cause the switches to change state. The trip'lever 42 is so positioned that just after the end of tube 18 contacts target 19 and causes the saw mechanism and trip lever to be drawn forward, the trip lever contacts a roller 49 which is attached to a pivoting lever 50 and causes a contact bar 51 to rise and bridge the contacts 52. Referring to FIGURE 8 which represents the self-holding cutting circuit concerned, when the normally open condition of switch 47 is closed momentarily by the action of the trip lever 42, a relay solenoid 53 is energized causing the associated switch points 54 to be closed, thus energizing solenoid 37 which is now contained in this self-holding circuit. As eariier mentioned, energizing of solenoid 37 brings the saw 13 into cutting engagement with the tube 18. Continued movement of the trip lever 42 by virtue of movement of the target 19 in the same direction causes the trip lever 42 to engage the operating gear of cutter switch 48. Switch 48 normally is in a closed position and operation by the trip lever in the manner described for switch 47 causes a contact bar 55 therein to move away from contacts 56 and break the cutting self-holding circuit previously described. This causes solenoid 37 to be de-energized and the saw 13 to be pivoted out of cutting engagement with the tube 18 by the action of tension spring 39 and its associated lever 36.

A mechanism and control apparatus and further mechanism used in conjunction with the above machine to produce apparatus and practice the method of the present invention will now be set forth.

Referring again to FIGURES 2 and 3, we see that the pattern bearing web 7 which is being wound onto the preformed tube 18 carried on mandrel 1 is drawn from a reel supply source 57. The apparatus shown includes means for imparting various degrees of stretch to the reel stock, the stretch used in the first embodiment being of a permanent nature. Suitable material is available on the market. The web material is drawn from the supply source 57 by a pair of rollers 58 and 59 which are of suitable material to ensure virtually slip-free progression of the web on the rollers 58 and 59. A further pair of similar rollers 6t) and 61 are provided which receive the web fed from rollers 58 and S9, and are capable of being run at speeds higher than for the rollers 58 and 59 so that a degree of tension is induced in the web between these two pairs of rollers.

FIGURE 12 shows how the two pairs of rollers 60, 61 and 58, 59 are maintained in frictional contact with the strip by means of a compression spring 115 applying force to a bearing block 116 causing the uppermost roll 59 or 61 of each pair to be pressed on to the lower roll 58 or 60. Each roll has a tooth gear of equal size at one exnemity engaging with that of its mating roll.

The web from the rollers 60 and 61 is then maintained in a loop control system, the purpose of this system being to isolate the winding of the strip on the pre-formed tube 18 from the relatively heavy tensions caused by the action of the stretching rollers 60 and 61 upon the web 7 as it is on its way to the tube.

The loop control system may be of well known form, this being extensively used in reel fed machines in the paper and textile industry. In FIGURE 3 are shown representational details of this mechanism. It incorporates a web control member 62 operating a motor speed controller 63 which, in turn, governs the speed of main drive motor 64. If the web loop 72 becomes too small, the web control member 62 rises, causing the motor speed control 63 to take corrective action and increase the speed of the main drive motor 64. If the web loop becomes too large the web control member 62 falls, causing the motor speed control 63 to take corrective action and decrease the effective speed of the main drive motor 64 as hereinafter set forth. From the web loop 72 in which the web 7 is maintained in a substantially tensionless state, or in a condition of only slight tension, the web 7 passes under a tensioning device represented by a weight 65 resting in frictional engagement on the moving web 7 thus providing a substantially constant tension in the web as is normally required for spiral winding.

Intermediately situated between the tensioning device and the mandrel is a glue applying device 66 of a type conventionally used in spiral winding. A series of rollers 67, 68, 69, 70 and 71 are provided to guide the web in appropirate fashion through the glue applying device.

As shown in FIGURES 1 and 4, the target 19 is associated with a double sense switching means to enable the first embodiment of FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 to compensate for pattern misregister as it develops due to winding error, including even moisture variation, cutting error, etc. The switching means incorporates two pairs of switch points, each controlling a correcting circuit, the two operating in a different sense. This embodiment is a twoway stretch embodiment and one circuit deals with cases where the winding error causes the control mark 8 to arrive at the observing unit late and the other circuit when it arrives early. Without correction, if the mark arrives late, the stick would be too long.

With the end of the tube and the target moving to the left in the direction of the arrow 46 in FIGURE 1 as the tube is being formed, there is an operating finger 73 in the switching means overlapping the path of the target. The finger 73 is on a horizontal rod 73a, being held against movement away from the oncoming tube 18 by the target 19. While so held it compresses a spring 74 against an inner wall. The rod 73a also carries a contact bar 75 on its right end which, until the tube 18 pushes on the target 19, is held in normally closed position across contacts 76. On the left or other end of rod 73a is a contact bar 77. Lying in the path of the contact bar 77 are contacts 78 adapted to be bridged by the bar 77 by continued movement of target 19 shortly after movement of the target has allowed spring 74 to open the normally closed contacts 76. These normally open contacts 78 are in the late correcting portion of the circuitry of FIGURE 4.

The description of the late correcting portion of the circuitry of FIGURE 4 is as follows. This circuit includes the amplifier unit 11 and switch points 12 previously referred to and eventual arrival of the control mark 8 at the observing unit 9, results in the closing of switch points 12 of the amplifier unit 11 and through the associated timing means 150 and the switch points 151 thereof energize a relay solenoid 82 in the same circuit. This allows current to be supplied to a correcting motor 79 to produce the appropriate directional sense of rotation. The relay solenoid 82 also closes switch points 87. These latter points are in a self-holding circuit completing it. This self-holding circuit is only broken by the opening of switch points 151 .Of the timing means 150 after a pre-set period of time.

It is a feature of the circuitry of FIGURE 4 that there are isolating switch points 80 and 81 opened by the solenoids 82 and 83 respectively which cause the late circuit to be isolated from the early circuit and vice versa.

In the early circuit, is. where the control mark arrives at the observing unit 9, 10 before the end of the tube 18 reaches the target and therefore the stick would be too short if there were no correction, the contact bar 75 will be bridging the contacts 76. This condition is shown in FIGURE 4. In the early circuit is a relay solenoid 83 adapted to cause double switch point set 85 to close and pass current to the correcting motor 79 in the appropriate sense. This is the opposite direction to that caused by the late circuit. In this case the circuit receives current by reason of the closing of switch points 12 consequent upon arrival of the control feature 8. The relay solenoid also closes switch points 86 to complete a self-holding circuit which is only broken by the opening of switch points 151 of the timing unit 150 after the proper period as in the case of the late circuit.

It will be readily understood that conditions of early arrival of a control mark at the observing unit requires correction to be introduced which is of the opposite sense to that required by late arrival of the control mark and the circuit of FIGURE 4 provides for the correcting motor 79 to be rotated clockwise or anti-clockwise according to whether the early or late circuit is energized.

The timing means 150 is of a standard type known on the market as an electronic process timer or a time delay relay. One example of such a device was announced by Allan Radio Limited in the August 1961 issue of Electronic Equipment News. The closing of switch points 12 delivers current for a short period of time to the input connections of the timing means 150, thus initiating a selected period of time during which the main switch points 151 are closed. The amplifier unit 11 has normal or usual resetting means of its own which I prefer to reset by the travel of the cut off. However, the closed period of the switch points 12 should be less than the minimum timing period of the tuning means.

Referring now to FIGURES 2, 3, 11 and 12, there is a differential 88 consisting of an input shaft 89 with a bevel gear 90 attached thereto in engagement with a further pair of bevel gears 91 and 92 rotatively mounted in a spider 93. Spider 93 is rotatable about output shaft 94, independently thereof by means of a worm wheel 95 and worm 96 driven by a correcting motor 79. The output shaft 94 has a bevel gear 97 attached thereto in engagement with the pair of bevel gears 91 and 92 so that there is effective transmission of rotation from input shaft 89 to output shaft 94 with the availability of a further addition or subtraction of rotation to the output shaft 94 from the correcting motor 79.

The main drive motor 64 transmits rotation to the pair of rolls 60, 61 by means of pulley 98, endless belt 99, pulley 100, pulley 101, endless belt 102 and pulley 103.

Drive to the pair of rolls 58 and 59 is effected through pulley 104, endless belt 105, pulley 106, variable speed mechanism 107, pulley 108, endless belt 109, pulley 110, bevel gear pair 111 and 112, shaft 89, differential 8S, shaft 94 and bevel gear pair 113 and 114.

In operation the variable speed mechanism 107 is initially set to a ratio to provide a required normal permanent stretch of the web 7, this being determined by experiment. Variations of the stretch as required by the conditions of register are effected by increasing or decreasing the amount of such stretch as necessary by changing the relative speed ratio of the two pairs of rolls by means of the correcting motor 79 applying additional or subtractional rotation through the differential 83.

Having set forth the construction of the apparatus of the first embodiment Where two-way stretch is obtained without relying on elasticity of the pattern web, its operation will now be described. In operating the machine according to this embodiment, the machine is first checked for cutting length, to ensure that lengths are being cut off substantially equal to the designed length of stick. Next the position of the cuts relative to the desired cutting locations for pattern register are observed and the machine adjusted preferably while running until cutting is occurring at the desired location. This adjustment of initial cutting position may be carried out in a variety of ways such as by pulling the target along by hand until the cut is brought into correct positional relationship, or by manually interposing a packing block adjacent to the target in the path of the advancing tube so that the cut is progressively brought to its correct position. A variety of other means of securing initial register are possible.

Having secured initial register, the machine is allowed to begin running under control of the correcting means provided. Photo cell means 9 and associated light source it) are positioned so that when the cut is occurring in correct register the end of the tube 18 touches the target 19 at the same moment that control feature 3 causes modulation of the beam of light from source it). As the machine continues to run, cutting and winding misregister will gradually develop.

Dealing first with the situation when the control mark arrives late at the observing unit, that is where the end of the tube 13 reaches the target 19 before the control mark 8 reaches the observing unit, i.e. where the patterns are in an extended state, the target will have moved in the direction of arrow 46 allowing operating finger 73 to move in the same direction under influence of compression spring '74, thus causing contact bar 75 to open from its normally closed position across contacts 76. Further slight movement forward of the target 19 will cause contact bar 77 to bridge the contacts 78. It will be seen that when the control feature 8 eventually arrives at the observing unit, and modulates the light beam from source 10 thus influencing photo electric cell 9, the associated amplifier unit 11 causes its switch points 12which are normally in an open condition to close, allowing current to be supplied to correcting motor 7 9 to produce the appropriate directional sense of rotation. Switch point 80 isolates the early circuit. Rotation of the correcting motor 79 is injected into the drive system between the two pairs of rolls 60, 61 and 58, 59 by means of the differential 88. It will be noted that the change in ratio of speed between the two pairs of rolls is shown obtained by varying the lower pair. The amplifier unit 11 is associated with timing means 15% which will allow rotation of the correcting motor 79 to be carried out for a predetermined period of time.

Where the control mark arrives early at the observing unit, before the end of tube 18 reaches the target 19, i.e. where the patterns are in a contracted state, the contact bar 75 will be bridging the contacts 76 so that the early correcting circuit receives current by reason of the closing of switch points 12 in the amplifier unit 11 consequent upon arrival of a control feature 8 for a period of time determined by the setting of the timing means 150, and appropriate directional rotation will be imparted to the correcting motor 79.

When the early circuit is operated the isolating switch points 81 isolate the late circuit.

When the switch points 12 of the amplifier unit ill 2.; cause the switch points 151 of the timing means 159 to operate in the early correcting circuit, they energize the relay solenoids 83, causing double switch point set to close and pass current to the correcting motor 79 in the appropriate sense. The switch points 86 are also closed by the relay solenoid 33 and complete a self-holding circuit which is only broken by the opening of switch points 151 of the timing means after a pro-set period.

The'first embodiment of the invention described above is one in which two-way permanent stretch is used to correct for errors arising during winding. The second embodiment which will now be described is the attaining of correction by the use of one-way permanent stretch. The first embodiment uses two-way stretch to provide for such pitch errors as may occur. The printed web is stretched to a degree of stretch intermediate between a desirable minimum and-maximum and this degree of stretch is either reduced to give a shorter pitch length of the pattern on the strip and consequently of the patterns on the wound tube, or increased to give a greater pitch length of the pattern on the strip, and consequently of the patterns on the wound tube as required by the errors occurring in the wound tube as indicated by the development of errors in cutting register.

One-way stretch may be used for the purpose of this invention in a manner such that during the normal winding operation the printed web is stretched in such a way as to produce containers having a pitch length slightly greater than nominal. This gives a progressively-developing error of cutting register which can be corrected by relaxing the stretch of the printed web for a pre-determined period of time. At the end of this pre-determined period of time the printed web is once more placed in a condition of stretch and winding continues in this manner until a further correction is required. This, however, is an inversion of the techniques which will be described and shown. In the embodiment to be described the printed web is wound on the base tube with a winding pitch slightly less than nominal. This causes a progressively-developing error in cutting register. Correction of this error is made by stretching the printed web for pro-determined periods of time as required, producing wound pitch lengths which are greater than nominal due to the winding of stretched patterns on the tube. At the finish of each pro-determined period of time the stretching operation is discontinued until such time as further correction by stretching is required.

The apparatus will be generally the same as that shown in FIGURE 1 for the first embodiment except that the two-directional switch of FIGURES l and 4 has been replaced by the uni-directional switch of FIGURE 13. The control circuit of FIGURE 14 with a single direction control is used. It is a modified form of that shown in FIGURE 4.

In operation the machine will be set to secure initial register and then allowed to continue running, under control of the correcting means. Should the control feature 8 modulate the light beam before the tube end arrives at target 19, the amplifier unit 11 will cause its switch points 12, which are normally in an open condition to close, thus initiating the operating cycle of the timing means 150, the switch points 151 of said timing means also closing and allowing current to be supplied to the relay solenoid 83 and causing points 86 to close thus completing a self-holding circuit. The switch points 85 will 7 also be closed allowing current to be supplied to the correcting motor '79. The self-holding circuit is only broken by the opening of switch points 151 of the timing means 150 after a pre-set period so that rotation of correction motor 79 is maintained for a pre-determined time, and a pre-determined amount of correction in the form of permanent stretch in the patterned web is applied.

In a third embodiment, instead of making use of the ability of web materials to receive a permanent stretch, whereby correction for register can be obtained, use is made of the elastic stretch properties of the web material. This will first be described as a one-way stretch in which the web will be wound at a nominal tension from which an increase in tension can be applied, thus effectively changing the stretch of the patterns when the conditions of register require this to be done. Referring to FIG- URE 15, patterned web material 7 is being drawn on to pre-formed spiral tube 18 which is being wound on a mandrel 1 from a reel source 57. The web material passes over an anvil 130 with a weight 131 resting upon the web in frictional engagement, so applying a substantially constant tension to the web as it is delivered to the mandrel.

This third embodiment Will be described first by itself as a one-way elastic stretch method, the important difference from both previous embodiments being that instead of making use of the ability of the pattern web to receive a permanent stretch to get register correction, a web which is also elastic is used and the elastic properties are availed of to get register correction. The web is wound at a nominal tension from which an increase in tension can be applied, thus effectively changing the stretch of the patterns when the conditions of pattern register require it. It should be noted in connection with the delivery of the elastically stretched web to the tube, that the glue does not permit the web to recover the elastic stretch after it reaches the being-formed tube on the mandrel. Therefore elastic stretch causes extension of the pattern. Thus an extension of the web is used to correct misregister. Similarly to the second embodiment, the techniques can be inverted by using a normally high rate of tension, i.e. extension, which is reduced periodically as the register situation requires.

As in the case of the second embodiment, the apparatus of FIGURE 1 is modified by FIGURE 13 to give the elastic stretch by itself. In addition FIGURE 4 is modified by FIGURE 16 which latter is a register control suitable for uni-directional correction according to the third embodiment. FIGURE shows a means of varying the winding tension of the patterned web so as to produce variation in tension in the web in accordance with the third embodiment by itself. As shown in FIG- URE 15, the patterned web 7 originating from the reel source 57 is being drawn on to the preformed spiral tube 18 on the mandrel 1. To apply a substantially constant tension to the web on its way to the tube, the web passes over an anvil 130 with a weight 131 resting upon the web in frictional engagement. Owing to the elasticity of the web 7, means have been provided to apply further tension at required times. For this purpose there is a pneumatic cylinder 132 having a piston 140 and a rod 141 connected to the weight 131. This cylinder 132 is under the control of the following pneumatic valve means. As shown in FIGURES l5 and 16, there is a solenoid 133 normally biased by a spring 134 to an open state. The outer end of the moving solenoid core is pivotally connected to a lever 135 attached to a rotary ported plug 136 of a pneumatic valve 136a. The valve has a compressed air inlet port 138 and an outlet port 139. The outlet port is connected to the pneumatic cylinder 132. There is a hold-back 57a on source 57.

Owing to the shape of the port 137 in the plug 136, as can readily be seen from the drawing, when the solenoid 133 is energized and the lever 135 retracted downwardly by the control means to be described later, the rotary ported plug 136 is rotated into a position where its port 137 connects the compressed air from inlet port 138 to the outlet port 139 and into the pneumatic cylinder 132. This applies thrust upon the piston 140 which in turn applies itself through the rod 141 to the weight 131 thus increasing the frictional resistance to movement of the web 7. The web 7 will stretch in elastic fashion due to this additional frictional resistance causing the pattern pitches to be increased in like proportion. Intermediate between the rotary plug valve and the pneumatic cylinder 132 is a relief valve 142 to control the pressure within the system. When the solenoid 133 is de-energized by means associated with the control system, it will open causing the rotary ported plug 136 to return to its original position shown in FIGURE 15, allowing the air in cylinder 132 to escape through an exhaust port 143 which registers with the porting in plug 136 as shown.

As will be seen from FIGURE 16, the control circuit is identical with that of FIGURE 14 (second method) except that the solenoid 133 is substituted for the correction motor 79.

In operation the machine will be set to secure initial register and then allowed to continue running under control of the correcting means. Should the control feature 8 modulate the light beam before the tube end arrives at target 19, the amplifier unit 11 will cause its switch points 12 which are normally in an open condition to close, thus initiating the operating cycle of the timing means 150, the switch points 151 of said timing means also closing and allowing current to be supplied to the relay solenoid 83 and also causing points 86 to close, thus completing the self-holding circuit. The switch points will also be closed allowing current to be supplied to the solenoid 133. The self-holding circuit is only broken by the opening of switch points 151 of the timing means after a pre-set period of time so that energizing of solenoid 133 is maintained for a pre-determined time only, and a pre-determined amount of correction in the form of elastic stretch is applied to the patterned web.

It will be obvious that while the third embodiment makes it possible to take advantage of any elasticity of the web 7, it can be used in combination with permanent stretch as Well if desired. In this case any permanent stretch required by register conditions would be given between the two pairs of rolls. These two pairs of rolls 58, 59 and 60, 61 may be termed the second controlling section. The tensioning of the web below the elastic limit with the capability of reducing the uniform tension applied when contraction of the pattern pitches is required by the conditions of register would be given by the first controlling section, i.e. the one nearest the mandrel. Thus relaxation of elastic stretch shortens and permanent stretch lengthens the web. Preferably there is the same slight loop 72 between the controlling sections that there is in the other embodiments so that interference between the two sections is avoided. Thus, combining the second and third embodiments gives one-way unilateral register compensation from a combination of permanent and elastic stretch giving both shrinkage and stretch.

It should also be noted that the invention is equally applicable to single cut winders and simultaneous gangcutting winders.

Where the word stretc is used in the claims, it should be understood as including both permanent and elastic stretch except where the context requires otherwise.

While the foregoing descriptive matter has included method and means for obtaining permanent stretch by means of applying physical tension to the web in order to correct cutting register, it would be possible for the same end to be achieved in materials capable of extending or contracting under the influence of varying temperature conditions and the disclosures made are sufficient to enable such a procedure to be adopted. In this method changes of temperature would be introduced as determined by the control means above described.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of producing cylindrical containers and the like of predetermined length with unitary patterns spirally wound on the outside, it being desired to keep the patterns in register with the ends of the containers, said method comprising the steps of spirally winding a tube,

spirally winding a stretchable web, bearing unitary patterns and containing a degree of stretch, on the 1 31 outside of the tube, in combination with the steps of, measuring the register of one end of the tube with respect to a point on the patterned web on said tube, varying the stretch of the web before winding it on the outside of the tube, to compensate for any misregister found, and

cutting the tube into one or more desired container lengths after the web has been wound onto the tube and pattern register has been measured. 2. A method of producing cylindrical containers and the like of predetermined length with unitary patterns spirally wound on the outside, it being desired to keep the patterns in register with the ends of the containers, said method comprising the steps of spirally winding a tube, spirally winding a stretchable web, bearing unitary patterns and containing a degree of stretch, on the outside of the tube, in combination with the steps of,

measuring the register of one end of the tube with respect to a point on the patterned web on said tube,

varying the stretch of the web, by increasing it or decreasing it, before winding it on the outside of the tube, thereby compensating for any misregister found, and

cutting the tube into one or more desired container lengths after the web has been wound onto the tube and pattern register has been measured. 3. A method of producing cylindrical containers and the like of predetermined length and with unitary patterns spirally wound on the outside where it is desired to keep the patterns in register with the ends of the containers, said method comprising the steps of:

spirally winding a tube, spirally winding on the outside of the tube a stretchable web bearing unitary patterns, the web being stretched, before said winding to an extent intermediate zero and maximum stretch and nominally equal to the proper spacing of the patterns, and fed to the tube at a uniform tension after stretching, in combination with the steps of: measuring the registry of the patterns with respect to the planned positions of the container ends,

varying the amount of stretch imparted to the web in whichever direction and amount is necessary to correct for measured misregistry,

thereafter winding the web on the tube, and

subsequently cutting the tub into one or more desired container lengths. 4. A method of producing cylindrical containers and the like of predetermined length with unitary patterns spirally wound on the outside, it being desired to keep the patterns in register with the ends of the containers, said method comprising the steps of:

spirally winding a tube, spirally winding a stretchable web bearing unitary patterns on the outside of the tube, said web containing a degree of stretch, in combination with cutting the tube carrying the web into one or more constant predetermined lengths as it is formed,

measuring the distance between the cut end of the tube and a point on the pattern web on said tube, before the tube is cut, thereby measuring the register of the patterned web with the end of the tube,

thereafter comparing the distance measured to the proper register distance,

thereafter modulating the degree of stretch in the web before it is wound onto the tube, by increasing the degree of stretch when the comparison shows the measured distance to be less than the proper register distance and decreasing the degree of stretch when the comparison shows the measured distance to be greater than the proper register distance,

thereafter spirally winding said web containing modulated stretch onto the tube, and

performing further cutting operations in succession so that further lengths of patterned tube are produced some at least containing patterned web having modulated stretch,

whereby, because of the modulated stretch, the condition of positional discrepancy which has previously existed between the end of the cut tube and a pattern, in the lengths presently being produced, is eliminated.

5. A method of producing cylindrical containers and the like of predetermined length with unitary patterns spirally wound on the outside, it being desired to keep the patterns in register with the ends of the containers, said method comprising the steps of:

spirally Winding a tube,

spirally winding a stretchable web, bearing unitary patterns on the outside of the tube, in combination with the steps of, measuring the register of one end of the tube with rlelspect to a point on the pattern web on said tube, t en winding the pattern web on the outside of the tube at tensions to bring the web to the degree of stretch required from moment to moment to compensate for any misregister found, and thereafter cutting the tube into one or more desired container lengths.

6. A method of producing cylindrical containers and the like of predetermined length and with unitary patterns spirally wound on the outside where it is desired to keep the patterns in register with the ends of the containers, said method comprising the steps of:

spirally winding a tube,

spirally winding onthe outside of the tube an elastic stretchable web bearing unitary patterns, in combination with the steps of: controlling the web by delivering it to the tube at a uniform tension below the elastic limit thereof,

measuring the registry of the patterns with respect to the planned position of the ends of the containers,

controlling the web'by stretching it beyond its elastic limit to correct pattern misregistry, said stretching beyond the elastic limit occurring prior to said uniform tension step, there being a loop formed in the web between said two controlling steps,

thereafter winding the web on the tube, and

subsequently cutting the tube into one or more containers of planned length.

7. A method of producing cylindrical containers and the like of predetermined length with unitary patterns spirally wound on the outside, it being desired to keep the patterns in register with the ends of the containers, said method comprising the steps of spirally winding a tube, spirally winding a stretchable web, bearing unitary patterns, on the outside of the tube to produce a tube with the patterns pitched slightly shorter than nominal, in combination with the steps of: measuring the registry of the patterns with respect to the position of the ends of the containers before the tube is cut, stretching the pattern web before it is wound onto the tube to compensate for accumulated misregister found, and cutting one or more container lengths off the tube in each of repeated cutting cycles.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,453,982 Huck Nov. 16, 1948 2,521,691 Corlett Sept. 12, 1 950 2,658,751 Jaeschke Nov. 10, 1953 2,712,778 Robinson July 12, 1955 2,734,432 Robinson et a1. Feb. 14, 1956 2,873,117 Crosfield et al Feb. 10, 1959 

1. A METHOD OF PRODUCING CYLINDRICAL CONTAINERS AND THE LIKE OF PREDETERMINED LENGTH WITH UNITARY PATTERNS SPIRALLY WOUND ON THE OUTSIDE, IT BEING DESIRED TO KEEP THE PATTERNS IN REGISTER WITH THE ENDS OF THE CONTAINERS, SAID METHOD COMPRISING THE STEPS OF SPIRALLY WINDING A TUBE, SPIRALLY WINDING A STRETCHABLE WEB, BEARING UNITARY PATTERNS AND CONTAINING A DEGREE OF STRETCH, ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE TUBE, IN COMBINATION WITH THE STEPS OF, MEASURING THE REGISTER OF ONE END OF THE TUBE WITH RESPECT TO A POINT ON THE PATTERNED WEB ON SAID TUBE, VARYING THE STRETCH OF THE WEB BEFORE WINDING IT ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE TUBE, TO COMPENSATE FOR ANY MISREGISTER FOUND, AND CUTTING THE TUBE INTO ONE OR MORE DESIRED CONTAINER LENGTHS AFTER THE WEB HAS BEEN WOUND ONTO THE TUBE AND PATTERN REGISTER HAS BEEN MEASURED. 